Safety rules stop CCTV filming two sex assaults

My Account
Logout

Create an Evening Standard Account

Use your social network

Save time by using your existing account to sign in to Evening Standard

We'll never share your information or post anything to your account without your permission

Welcome! Sign in here

Use your social network

Save time by using your existing account to sign in to Evening Standard

We'll never share your information or post anything to your account without your permission

Forgot your password ?

Registration

* indicates fields that are mandatory

Email *

Password *

Confirm Password *

First name *

Surname *

Postcode *

Country *

Mobile phone number

Username *

Gender *

Year of birth *

When you sign up...

You will have access to all our online competitions, discounted offers and can post comments on our site.

You will also receive The Weekender newsletter sent every Thursday - it’s full of fantastic offers and ideas for the weekend. You can update your email preferences in your account page when you log in.

Other newsletters and emails

Homes & Property Newsletter - Yes I want to receive the weekly email with all the latest news on property in the capital

Occasionally we would also like to send you relevant emails detailing specific offers either from ourselves or carefully selected partners. If you would prefer not to receive these then please tick the appropriate boxes below. We will never pass on your details.

I do not want to receive additional offers and information from the Evening Standard

I do not want to receive additional offers and information sent by Evening Standard on behalf of carefully selected partners

Terms and Conditions

* I have read, understood and agree to be bound by the terms and conditions of Evening Standard

Registration

Mail Sent for Registration Confirmation.

A confirmation email has been sent. Please activate your account by clicking on the activation link sent in your mail box.

The £150,000 cameras, which were meant to reassure locals using the tunnel at Gants Hill Tube station in east London, were installed in May last year.

But since then, 13 of them have remained unplugged because contractors do not have the relevant health and safety qualifications to complete the task.

Last month two women were sexually assaulted in the underpass, just after 6.30am. No cameras are believed to have filmed the attacks.

Today Redbridge council claimed Transport for London, which bought the cameras and owns the subway, has ignored more than 30 letters pleading for access to the power box.

Mark Aaron, the council's member for community safety, said: "All they have to do is open their power box up and let us plug it in.

"It's like someone giving you a new car but not the keys. It's just a half-day job. The problem is all the red tape. We have qualified contractors, but TfL have made them go on health and safety courses and fill out books of forms. We have done everything they asked but we have still not heard when the cameras can be plugged in."

He added: "Two young ladies were attacked while this was going on and that is not good enough. They thought they had the security of cameras, but they did not. These women have been let down."

The subway, which runs under a busy roundabout and links the four corners of Gants Hill is notorious for assaults and fights.

TfL claims the cameras were due to be plugged in when the station, on the Central line, was being upgraded, but contractor Metronet went into administration before this could happen.

A spokeswoman said: "The upgrade was being carried out by Metronet, but it collapsed. To be able to power up the cameras, the council contractors needed the health and safety certificates.

"Redbridge's contractors are going through that now, but I do not know when the power will be connected." The spokeswoman refused to say why former Metronet workers or TfL's own staff could not carry out the work.